Sphinx to Mt Kuring-gai

This walk starts at the Sphinx War Memorial and follows some well maintained and popular walking tracks down to Cowan Creek. Enjoy the water views as you head through Bobbin Head and Apple Tree Bay. The walk continues through the National Park and up the hill to Mt Kuring-gai. There are plenty of great spots to stop and rest, including a cafe, kiosk and picnic area at Bobbin Head.

Sphinx Memorial

Private Shirley spent one and a half years carving this monument whilst a patient of the Lady Davidson Convalescent Hospital. William Shirley was in hospital, being treated after serving in WW1. Shirley died in 1929, leaving this memorial to fallen A.I.F. comrades.
“To my glorious comrades of the A.I.F
by the late W. Shirley
No 5756 Pte. 13th Battalion
Died 27th August 1928” More info.

Easy track

From the ‘Sphinx Memorial’[1], this walk follows the asphalt footpath, behind the picnic tables[2] gently downhill for about 50m to a T-intersection with the ‘Sphinx Fire Trail’[3].

(0.06km) Int of Sphinx Memorial Track and Sphinx service trail → Int of Sphinx walking Track and Service trail

10 m

0m

-1m

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Sphinx Fire Trail’ sign[4] gently downhill along the wide trail, keeping the valley to your left for just over 10m to an intersection marked with a ‘Sphinx Walking Track’ sign[5] (on your left).

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Sphinx Walking Track’ sign[6] fairly steeply down the series of timber steps[7]. This walk follows the rocky track[8] and timber steps[9] for 300m to flatten out and pass between two tall eucalyptus[10], then just shy of 150m later this walk comes to a shallow sandstone overhang[11] (on your right). The mostly flat track continues along the side of the valley for about 30m[12] to then head down a series of and carved stone and timber steps[13] for 50m to cross a usually small creek on a sandstone rock platform[14]. From here the track leads gently downhill along the side of the valley among the grass trees[15] for almost 200m to cross a smaller often dry creek on a sandstone rock platform[16]. Here the track gently undulates along the side of the hill crossing a few pleasant rock platforms[17] for 130m to pass under the high tension power lines[18]. Now the track begins to zig-zags quite steeply in places, for almost 250m, down a series of timber and stone steps[19] to a T-intersection[20] in a flat ferny forest. Here there is a ‘Sphinx Track – Nth. Turramurra’ sign[21] pointing back up the rocky track.

(1.12km) Int of Sphinx walking and Warrimoo Tracks → Int of Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Tracks

3.7 km

1 hr 32 mins

242m

-245m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection this walk follows the ‘Bobbin Head’ arrow on the ‘Warrimoo Track’ sign[22] along the clear track that leads through the mostly flat ferny section, keeping Cowan Creek some distance to your right. After about 100m the track leaves the ferns and passes under a set of high tension power lines[23] where the track undulates along the side of the hill close to Cowan Creek[24] crossing a few small gullies for about 900m to then pass along a long natural sandstone wall[25]. About 150m after this wall the track leads just below a notable sandstone overhang[26] (up to your left) where the track then starts to head downhill for just over 100m
to a fairly open grassy salt marsh[27]. The walk stays just to the left of the salt marsh then leads along the edge of a section of mangroves[28] for 100m where the track bends left[29] and leads along side the creek for another 100m to then cross a creek at a wide rocky gully[30]. This is a pleasant cool spot with the usually small creek flowing over the sandstone rock platform with naturally carved holes[31]. For the next 200m the track undulates gently along the foreshore through the casuarina forest[32] to come to a tall overhang[33] that is on a rock platform right on the edge of Cowan Creek, a pleasant place to rest. This section of track may become covered with water at high tide.
From the tall overhang the track continues along the shortening natural rock wall[34] for about 150m
to then lead along another section of mangroves[35] for 150m. About 60m past the mangroves the track crosses a short flat timber bridge[36], then over the next 200m the track crosses a mossy gully and densely forested gully[37] where the rocky track climbs[38] over a rise, past some large smooth bark angophora’s[39] then down to another tall and long rock wall[40] and some more pleasant water views[41].
Just 20m past this rock wall the track bends left[42] and leads alongside the edge of the mangroves[43] for 200m, were again the track may be covered with water at high tides. From the end of the mangroves the rocky track climbs[44] for about 200m before continuing along the water side through a casuarina forest[45] as the track gently undulates over some rocky sections passing some pleasant water views[46] for 400m to pass below another fairly large sandstone cave/overhang[47] (up the hill to your left). Over the next 250m the track leads through a grassy section[48] beside the creek before crossing a shallow gully over a scattering of sandstone blocks[49][50]. Over the next 300m the mostly flat track leads through a tall wooded forest[51] filled with ferns and crossing a few middens[52] to come to an three-way intersection, just before the marina, marked with a ‘Warrimoo Ave & Sphinx Memorial’ sign[53] pointing back along the track.

(4.83km) Int of Warrimoo and Bobbin Head Tracks → Empire Marina

170 m

3 mins

6m

-5m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bobbin Head Picnic Area’ sign[54] along the mostly flat track following the foreshore, keeping the water and boats to your right. After about 30m this walk follows a fence and handrail[55] behind a dry dock[56] for 40m. Here the track narrows a bit to head between the rock face and buildings[57] for 100m to turn right at a ‘Warrimo Track’ sign[58] and a yellow painted walker (on the ground). Here the walk heads through the hallway, past the public toilets[59] to the water front of Empire Marina, beside the ‘Kiosk’[60] (on your right).

Empire Marina – Galley Foods cafe

Empire Marina, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, provides facilities and services for people on boats and on foot. The marina is home to “Galley Foods” kiosk and restaurant. The kiosk provides a variety of food priced between -, and is open from 8:30am to 5pm seven days. The restaurant requires reservations, and is open for lunch Thurs-Mon, breakfast on the weekend, and in dinner on Fridays and Saturdays in summer. Phone 9457 0477 More info.

(5km) Empire Marina → Bobbin Inn

420 m

8 mins

13m

-10m

Very easy

Turn left: From beside the Kiosk at Empire Marina[61], this walk follows the concrete path keeping keeping the water just to your right[62]. After about 20m this walk follows the ‘Bobbin Head Picnic Area’ sign[63] along the elevated path past a series of information signs [64][65][66][67][68][69][70] about the local heritage, beside the car park for 150m to leave the marina through the lockable gate[71]. This gate is locked outside of ‘park operating hours’[72], that is 8pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and 5.30pm to 6am at other times of the year. Here the walk passes a sign pointing back to the ‘Warrimmo Track’[74] and continues along the waterside then through the car park for another 60m to find another sign pointing back to ‘Warrimoo Track’, next to the ‘Pay Here’ station[75].Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the driveway[76] out of the car park a short distance to the intersection with Bobbin Head Road, just beside the bridge. Here there is a toilet block[77] (ahead and on the left), a shelter and phone both[78] (just to your left).Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the footpath beside the road over the wide bridge[79], crossing Cowan Creek[80]. On the far side of the bridge, this walk continues beside the road along side ‘Orchard Park’[81] to pass a side road (on the left)[82]. Just 60m later along the main road (Ku-ring-gai Chase Road) this walk comes to the end of a small set of car parks just beside the ‘Bobbin Inn’ building[83] (on your left), home to cafe and ‘information centre’.

Bobbin Head

Bobbin Head is a historic recreation area which is still popular today, suiting the needs of many people. At the center of the Bobbin Head area is the old “Bobbin Inn”[84], built in the 1930s – it is now the park information center and cafe[85]. The area is popular with picnickers, boaters, walkers, canoeists, family groups and people who like to fish. Bobbin Head is roughly divided into three sections (north, south and east).
Southern Bobbin Head is a popular picnic area for families and large groups. The area is surrounded by a car park[86] and dotted with picnic tables[87][88], electric BBQs[89], shelters and a large playground[90]. There are toilets[91]

nearby, and ‘The Station’ is a sheltered accessible area with BBQ and tables[92][93] that can be booked NPWS.
The northern Bobbin Head (Orchard Park)[95] area is a more formal picnic area. There is a large picnic shelter[96], surrounded by 14 smaller octagonal shelters[97], each of these divided into 4 walled-off compartments, ideal for small groups.
The eastern side of Bobbin head is dominated by the Empire Marina[98] and public wharf. The marina is home to a nice restaurant[99] and public toilets[100].

Bobbin Inn Cafe

At the centre of Bobbin Head picnic area, in the old ‘Bobbin Inn’ building[101], is a cafe offering inside and outdoor dining[102], and a range of foods and drinks. Food includes fish and chips, wraps, focaccia, sandwiches and snack foods. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are also on offer. Opening hours are 9 – 4pm Mon to Fri (closed Tuesdays) & 9 – 5pm weekends. For more information, phone the cafe on 9457 7170.
The NPWS Bobbin Head Information Centre is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day) 10 – 4pm (closed 12 – 12:30pm lunch).
Ramp access[103][104] available via on the southwestern corner of the building. Ramp access to the information centre through the cafe.

(5.42km) Bobbin Inn Cafe → Bottom of the Birrawana track steps

160 m

4 mins

30m

0m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the ‘Bobbin Inn’ cafe[105], this walk heads to the front of the building to the ‘Information Centre’ main entrance. From here this walk follows the ‘Birrawana Loop Track’[106] alongside the road a few meters to find a metal ‘Welcome to the Cockle Creek Lookout Track’ sign and map[107]. Now the walk follows the track behind the safety barrier (keeping the road to your right) for about 70m to cross a small culverted creek[108] and pass a few old a couple of picnic tables[109] in a shaded and mossy gully. This walk continues for another 30m behind the safety barrier[110] to come to the bottom of the signposted ‘Birrawanna Track’[111] steps.

Hard track

Veer left: From beside Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road[112], this walk heads down a few steps to cross a small flat concrete bridge[113], to then follow the ‘Birrawanna Track’ sign[114] up the timber steps. This walk leads quite steeply up the track as it zig-zags up a series of timber and rock steps[115][116] for just over 300m to find the top of small rocky ridge[117]. Here the walk leads down a series of timber steps[118] for about 50m to cross a moist gully[119] that is home to a disused telegraph pole[120]. Now this walk follows the clear rocky track leads uphill[121] for just shy of 200m to come to a faint intersection at the top of the ridge[122] (where the lookout track is on your right).

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the rocky track, east along the top of the ridgeline towards the rocky outcrop[123]. After about 50m this walk passes through a gap between two large rock outcrops[124], then around another rock to wind gently down the hill for just shy of 50m to come to an unfenced rock ledge overlooking Cockle Creek[125]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Cockle Creek Lookout

Cockle Creek Lookout is an informal lookout with no facilities, on the Birrawanna track in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The lookout provides Glimpses of Cockle and Cowan Creeks. The area is surrounded by some beautiful gum trees and rock boulders, making it a nice place to sit and reflect on the surroundings.

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north gently down hill for a few meters to follow an NPWS arrow post[126] along the clear track. After just shy of 100m this track bends left[127] to then gently undulate along the side of the hill (with the road down to your right)[128] for about 300m. Here the track mostly flattens out and contours around the side of the hill[129] for about 150m to then lead up a very gently hill to a signposted three way intersection. The intersection is beside a small clearing behind the regional office (on your right) and is marked with a ‘Cockle Creek Lookout’ and ‘Bobbin Head’ sign[130] pointing back along the track.

NPWS North Sydney Regional Office

The NPWS North Sydney Regional Office is a lovely stone building on Bobbin Head Road at one of the trackheads for Birrawanna loop track. There is a car park and an open grassy area. On the opposite side of the road is the Apple Tree Flat Picnic Area with a few picnic tables. Other than this, there are no public facilities.

Easy track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk head gently uphill across the grassy clearing[131], veering left a little to head across the car park and come the the driveway entrance[132] of the sandstone National Parks Regional Office building.

Apple Tree Flat Picnic Area

Apple Tree Flat Picnic Area is opposite the NPWS North Sydney Regional office on Bobbin Head Rd, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase national park. The small picnic area should not be confused with the more popular Apple Tree Bay Picnic Area and boat ramp further down the hill. The picnic area provides three bench platforms for sitting and dining. There is also a small, open grassy area and some large trees providing shade.

(6.29km) National Parks Regional Office → Apple Tree Flat Picnic Area

40 m

1 mins

0m

-3m

Easy track

Veer right: From the the NPWS Regional office, this walk heads out of the car park and crosses Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road, veering right to find a small clearing on the other side[133]. From the clearing, the walk heads down some stone steps to almost immediately come to an intersession marked with an ‘Apple Tree Flat’ sign[134] just beside the picnic area[135].

(6.33km) Apple Tree Flat Picnic Area → Apple Tree Flat Lookout

70 m

2 mins

0m

-12m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads behind the ‘Apple Tree Flat’ sign[136] to follow the flat gravel path, past the picnic tables[137]. After about 30m this walk heads down a few stone steps[138] then just 30m later the path comes to a to the fenced Lookout[139] and views[140] over Cowan Creek. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Apple Tree Flat Lookout

Apple Tree Flat Lookout is a small fenced lookout high up the hill overlooking Apple Tree Bay and Cowan creek. The view is filtered through the tall gum trees. Being perched on a rock platform, the views are great. The lookout is not far from Bobbin Head Rd, near the NPWS North Sydney Regional Office, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.

Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Apple Tree Bay’ sign[141] downhill along the clear track. The track soon bends left then after 30m veers right at a faint intersection to follow the ‘HH’ AND NPWS arrow post further downhill[142]. The track the winds down the side of a gully[143] for about 200m to pass through a sharp left hand hair pin bend[144]. Here the walk continues downhill for just over 30m to an intersection with the sealed Apple Tree Bay road[145] where a ‘Regional Office’ sign points back up the hill[146].

Very easy

Turn left: From the intersection at the bottom of the signposted ‘Regional Office’ track[147], this walk follows the sealed road gently downhill keeping the water and main valley to your right. After about 30m the road leads past a footpath (to a small gated marina[148], on your right) to continue down the road for 150m to the Apple Tree Bay car park[149]. Just across from the entrance this walk comes to a Kiosk and ‘Welcome to Apple Tree Bay’ sign[150].

Apple Tree Bay

Apple Tree Bay, in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase national park, has a popular boat ramp for accessing Cowan creek and plenty of parking. The area has kiosk, electric BBQ’s, picnic benches, toilets, drinking water, garbage facilities, and shade provided by trees. If you are after a quiet spot, head to the western end (away from the boat ramp, past the BBQ’s), just beyond the car park, to a lovely clearing by the water. The area is closed between sunset and sunrise.
The kiosk/cafe[151] is open on weekend and services hot and cold drinks, ice creams and some hot food.

(6.73km) Apple Tree Bay → Int of Mt Kuring-gai and Berowra Tracks

940 m

26 mins

82m

-66m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the kiosk[152], this walk heads across the eastern end of the car park[153], keeping the water to your right for just shy of 100m to pass the top of the boat ramp[154] and find the sheltered ‘Information’ sign[155]. Here the walk crosses Apple Tree Creek on the timber bridge[156] to find a small clearing and picnic area where this walk turns right following the ‘Berowra Track’ sign[157]. The walk soon leaves the metal fence and follows the rocky track and stone steps[158] for about 100m where the track then mostly flattens out[159] for another 100m to cross a small rock gully and grove of sassafras[160]. The track then crosses another gully and continues along the shore for just over 200m leaving the Apple Tree Bay where the track veers left over a small rise using some timber steps[161]. From here this walk continues along the shoreline in a similar manor for 300m to come to a constructed stone wall[162] and series of disused stone steps (on your left)[163]. This is the site of the historic Woodnutts Boatshed that was built in 1910. The rusting water tank and a few other relics remain[165].
Here the walk continues along the clear track along the shoreline for another 40m to the intersection at the bottom of the signposted ‘Mt Ku-ring-gai Track’[166] (on your left).

Hard track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘MT Ku-ring-gai Track’ sign[167] up the rock and timber steps and past the small overhang[168]. The track leads fairly steeply up for 80m to then bend sharply right[169] and continue fairly steeply for another 200m to pass a natural rock wall[170] (on your left). Just 20m past this wall the track comes to a small flat area[171] with good views over Cowan Creek[172]. Here the walk continues more gently uphill along the rocky ridge line[173] for 300m where the track completely flattens out to pass along the side of a small hill[174] (on your left). Over the next 600m the track leads down across a saddle then up along the ridge to bend right onto[175] an exposed rock platform[176]. From there the sandy track soon bends left again to follow the ridge uphill for 100m to pass a small sandstone overhang[177] then continue up a long set of stone steps[178] where the sandy track mostly flattens out again[179]. Soon the track starts heading up more stone steps [180] for about 400m to pass between a large boulder (on your left) and along rock wall (on your right)[181]. At the end of this rock wall the track bends right and leads up the stone steps through the cleft in the rock[182] where the then mostly flat wide sandy track leads gently uphill for 250m to find a three-way intersection[183]
marked with a NPWS arrow post[184].

(9.6km) Int of Lookout and Mt Kuringai Tracks → Corner of Harwood Avenue and Young Street

650 m

11 mins

5m

-12m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the face of the face of the NPWS arrow post[185] to head south west over a small rise and along the sandy management trail. The trail passes through open wooded forest for just over 600m to pass a ‘Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park – Mt Kuring gai Track’ sign[186] as the trail bends right where this walk heads around the green metal National Park gate[187]. Here the walk heads past a few houses to find the intersection of ‘Harwood Ave’ and ‘Young St’[188] (Mt Kuring-gai).

(10.25km) Corner of Harwood Avenue and Young Street → Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station

400 m

8 mins

19m

-1m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the corner of Harwood Avenue and Young Street, this walk follows Harwood Ave downhill along the footpath. The footpath then leads up past a ‘Seaview St’[189] and across ‘Low St’[190] to continue to the end of Harwood Ave to find a footbridge[191]. Here the walk crosses the the F3 freeway using the caged foot bridge[192] to head down the steps into a concrete tunnel[193]. Part way through the tunnel this walk comes to an intersection at the bottom of the steps at Mt Kuring-gai Railway Station. Here there is a sign that points back to ‘Mt Ku-ring-gai Walking Track’[194]

Maps for the Sphinx to Mt Kuring-gai walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Cross sectional view of the Sphinx to Mt Kuring-gai bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Sphinx to Mt Kuring-gai

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

10.7 km

Time

4 hrs 45 mins

.

Grade 4/6

Hard track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Very steep (4/6)

Quality of track

Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)

Signs

Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Experience Required

Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)

Weather

Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

5km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.3km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 2.2km is very steep and the remaining 1.2km is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.1km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (1.1km) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 3.3km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 8km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.1km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 4.8km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 3.7km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Sphinx to Mt Kuring-gai walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-krgcnp-stmk
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-krgcnp-stmk
Forecast snapshot